In times like these, we often run frantically searching for answers. Gusto natin madaliang solusyon sa kalungkutan, sa spiritual exhaustion and drought na nararanasan natin. Sa mga ganitong panahon na tayo’y nakakaramdam na tila pagod ka na at wala nang pag-asa, I would like to share a few insights on how to fight your battle kahit na wounded ka na. Hindi ito formula guaranteed to get you through but it might help you greatly just as it helped me and many others.

Be silent before the Lord.

To be silent means to not speak. Pero minsan, this may mean to just free your mind from all your worries. Hindi ka nga nagsasalita pero sa isip mo ang daming mga alalahanin ang naglalaro. What if ganito, what if ganyan? Yung tipong kapag binigyan ng microphone ang isip mo hindi ito matatapos nang kakasalita. Start with silence. Oftentimes, much of our worries come from the unnecessary noise around us, at dun tayo napapagod. So begin with shutting your mouth and your mind for a moment and let the noise of the world just die within your thoughts. Forget about your deadlines for a while. Kalimutan mo muna lahat ng problema mo nang sandali. You will be amazed how relaxing this will be.

Wait upon the Lord.

Ayaw natin na naghihintay. We want quick-fixes sa ating mga problema. Kung kulang, we want to be filled agad-agad. Waiting is a waste of time para sa atin. We selfishly thrive on instant gratification. Pero si Lord, hindi lang ang “bunga” ang concern Niya, He cares as well sa process. May mga pagkakataon na maaari namang tugunin ni Lord ang mga panalangin natin agad in His power pero He waits for the “kairos” time para sa lahat. Waiting is a virtue that develops our faith. Our faith is tested and strengthened when we have to wait for something for a longer time. Kaya we need to wait upon Him. As you remain silent before Him, wait upon Him. Wag kang mainip kung pakiramdam mo napakatagal – while you are waiting patiently upon Him, He is actually intently looking after you.

Listen unto the Lord.

Madalas kapag nananalangin tayo, we do much of the talking ‘di ba? Lord, pahingi po ng ganito, sana po ganyan… This time practice the lost art of listening. Listen to the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit within you. However, you can only listen intently kapag silent ka before the Lord. Sabi nga ng librong nabasa ko, we can hardly hold on to what we never hear. So paano mo maiintindihan ang sinasabi ng Panginoon kung hindi ka naman talaga makikinig? Listen, and let Him do the talking.

God has already laid down His message to us in the Bible and yet God is never limited in His ways to communicate with His children, only we need to intently listen.

God speaks. Masyado lang kasi tayong masalita kaya hindi natin Siya madalas naririnig. You will be amazed sa mga paraan Niya kung paanong sumagot: through nature, through a song, through a memory na pinaalala Niya sayo, through a verse na nabasa mo sa Bible, or even through a person who just uttered something na naka-encourage sayo. This is of course not to be mistaken as over-spiritualizing things. God has already laid down His message to us in the Bible and yet God is never limited in His ways to communicate with His children, only we need to intently listen. Always confirm whatever you hear from Him in the context of His written Word.

Take rest in the Lord.

Nakakita ka na ba ng isang baby na natutulog? Di ba ang peaceful niyang tignan? Lalo na kung pinaghehele siya ng kanyang ama o ina, sobrang relaxing ng scenario. Imagine yourself to be a baby, at ang Panginoon ang iyong Ama na naghehele sayo. Will you be need anything, knowing that the Creator of heavens and earth carries you in His arms? Whatever message you have received in the Lord as you wait upon Him, take rest in that message. Panghawakan mo. Make it THE source of your strength. Ang sabi nga sa Psalms, God is an ever-present help in times of trouble. Kahit kapaguran man yan o pag-aalala, He is always present to give help. Find rest in Him and let Him fight your battles.

I would like to share a very familiar passage which has strengthened me just recently:

Have you not known? Have you not heard?The Lord is the everlasting God,the Creator of the ends of the earth.He does not faint or grow weary;his understanding is unsearchable.He gives power to the faint,and to him who has no might he increases strength.Even youths shall faint and be weary,and young men shall fall exhausted;but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;they shall mount up with wings like eagles;they shall run and not be weary;they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:28-31

Find strength in the Lord. He is waiting for you, and is always ready to receive you. May you find rest and strength for your soul now, dear reader!

A very busy week filled with bright colors, laughter and loud music – at least that’s how most of the celebrated their Christmas week. Mine’s a bit different for a Yuletide celebration. Yet still, God is good! In good times and the bad, He never fails to be good!

Halfway in preparation for our Noche Buena, my mother complained about sudden pain on her abdomen and hip. So I advised her to refrain from what she’s doing and take a rest instead. Kaya yung sopas na hinahanda niya nauwi sa ginisang gulay, para hindi masayang 🙂 We’ve found out that she’s suffering from UTI. Being almost bedridden for a couple of days, I am actually forced to stay at home to attend to her needs. There was a moment when I am giving her cold compress and memories of my childhood flashed before me. I am thankful for my mama. It may be a very simple act to attend to her needs while she’s sick, but it actually means a lot to me. Plus, I am grateful for friends and churchmates who visited and ministered to us.

A very soothing massage for me and my mother courtesy of Sis. Nanette Zafra, our churchmate.

I thank God for the gift of rest. It’s good to stay away from all the routine of office work and spend time with things you really want to indulge into – extended hours of sleep, reading books, biking, surfing the net, among others.

Staff Christmas Party – Food, food, food! I am also thankful for people who blessed me with tokens and gifts, until now they’re left unopened. Delayed gratification. 🙂

For Villa Escudero trip courtesy of MMND. Confession – Since I was a child I’ve been seeing Villa Escudero in postcards and dreamt of going there when I grow up. Parang gusto ko talaga yung idea na kumakain ka habang nagtatampisaw ang mga paa mo sa tubig. And this week is the realization of my childhood dream! In addition to the sumptuous lunch on running water, we visited a museum of antique items and preserved animals, had a carabao ride, tried water rafting and watched an awesome cultural presentation.

In good times and the bad, in celebration or plain, normal season, what are your thank yous?

One thing I appreciate with my friends is their willingness to help me at the cost of their inconvenience. That’s what friendship is made up nga naman. But the Lord is a Friend as well, and more than a friend actually. Kaya kung pinagkakatiwalaan natin ang ating mga kaibigan na di tayo iiwanan, how much more can we trust the Lord?

When we resist God’s plan in our lives, tendecy is either we’ll delay our progress or worse, endanger our lives. Minsan kasi nagmamarunong tayo e. We tend to think that we know how to direct life better than God, where in fact we are just mere passengers in His vehicle.

Likewise, God’s ways are puzzling. Mahirap intindihin kung minsan. Pero what’s best about it is hindi mo naman kailangang intindihin ang lahat sa Kanya. He is infinite, eternal and incomprehensible in the first place.

Likewise, God’s ways are puzzling. Mahirap intindihin kung minsan. Pero what’s best about it is hindi mo naman kailangang intindihin ang lahat sa Kanya. He is infinite, eternal and incomprehensible in the first place. Yet when we trust His sovereignty over our lives, mas maaappreciate mo ang bawat himaymay ng wonderful plans Niya sa buhay mo. It is better to rest in Him than to be restless, stressing yourself.

Hearts & Halo

This is my virtual space for all my random musings on life, love, ministry and everything in between. Join me as I jot down notes as I explore and enjoy what God has offered me in my tiny corner in this world.